Opening night in Manhattan
My eight month wait came to an end today, as Look Me in the Eye went on sale. I walked around Manhattan, signing copies of my book at stores across the city. I even took pictures of the displays, but you’ll have to wait for the weekend to see them, because I can’t resize them from my laptop computer.
Amazon released a flood of books, filling the thousands of orders that have come in recent months. B&N.com did the same. The online retailers actually shipped books two days ago, so readers who bought online would get their copies of Look Me in the Eye today . . . as soon as everyone else.
Then, at seven o’clock, we had our opening night appearance, at Union Square Barnes and Noble. The seating area was filled to capacity. Crowds were standing on the floor behind, and watching the video monitors in the cafeteria below. My brother came out and introduced me, and after some back and forth, I read three passages from the book.
I talked a while, and we both answered questions. Then we signed books. Lots of books. Hundreds and hundreds of books. Then it was over. Nine fifteen, and the last book was signed. The floor displays – full at four o’clock – stood empty. The whole affair was taped, and I’ll let you know next week, when you can see it all online. B&N had each of us wired for sound, and they had three commercial cameras running the whole time. They’ve got a recording capability there that would make many TV stations proud.
It was as successful an opening night as anyone could have wished for. The events manager told me tonight was the first standing ovation they’d had for an author all year. I really did not know what to say. I thank all our friends, all of you who were there, and all who wished us well. I’ll see more of you tomorrow, at R J Julia in Madison.
We’re finally on the road . . . and where will we go from here?
Amazon released a flood of books, filling the thousands of orders that have come in recent months. B&N.com did the same. The online retailers actually shipped books two days ago, so readers who bought online would get their copies of Look Me in the Eye today . . . as soon as everyone else.
Then, at seven o’clock, we had our opening night appearance, at Union Square Barnes and Noble. The seating area was filled to capacity. Crowds were standing on the floor behind, and watching the video monitors in the cafeteria below. My brother came out and introduced me, and after some back and forth, I read three passages from the book.
I talked a while, and we both answered questions. Then we signed books. Lots of books. Hundreds and hundreds of books. Then it was over. Nine fifteen, and the last book was signed. The floor displays – full at four o’clock – stood empty. The whole affair was taped, and I’ll let you know next week, when you can see it all online. B&N had each of us wired for sound, and they had three commercial cameras running the whole time. They’ve got a recording capability there that would make many TV stations proud.
It was as successful an opening night as anyone could have wished for. The events manager told me tonight was the first standing ovation they’d had for an author all year. I really did not know what to say. I thank all our friends, all of you who were there, and all who wished us well. I’ll see more of you tomorrow, at R J Julia in Madison.
We’re finally on the road . . . and where will we go from here?
Comments
Thank you, John. Thank you for writing this book.
I can't tell you how happy this makes me.
All weekend I thought about how you and your friends would be on the bus going to NYC. I've only been there once --have never been to Amherst. So it all sounded like a very big adventure.
Anyway, I thought about the anticipation they had waiting for the bus, driving there, soaking in the good vibes. And I was there, too, at least in spirit.
So over the weekend I wrote something for you and your Aspergian friends. It's on my blog.
I'll blog the event later today.
KIM
It was so fun meeting you and your lovely wife yesterday at McNally Robinson! I'll be telling all my friends about your upcoming appearance in Boston--we'll see you there!
Like Kim, I think I'll blog about it, later today.
GREAT JOB!
My wife and I listened to the audio book snippet (as you suggested in a comment on my blog) and watched the video that your brother made of you about the forthcoming, I mean, NEWLY Released book. She says that we share some similar characteristics, she did say that I am a little more animated (typically overly so) when I talk.
Have fun on your tour!
You've worked hard, truly deserve it! I am off to get the book this afternoon!!!!
Congrats!!!
I was glad to meet some of the bloggers like Kim. But I am disappointed that I missed seeing several others. (I guess if I had brought my Pom Savannah in a dog purse then they might have recognized me! Oh well.)
I had been looking forward to September 25th for a long time for you. I’m so glad that it was everything that you had hoped it would be. Congratulations! A magical night…
Sounds like it was a blast! I'm bummed I'm stuck here in Hawaii and couldn't go.
BTW My dad ordered two copies of LOOK ME IN THE EYE today (along with one more of LOTTERY - I told him he can't order anything from Amazon unless he orders my book too!)
This is SO COOL!!
I bought your book in Australia on Wednesday the 19th of September and as such have finished reading it. I am not the only one in the world who feels like a fraud. You wrote about this and I feel that part of my thinking makes more sense now. Strange that someone else has to write about it for it to make more sense to me. I am a fellow Aspergian, a woman, and I thought it was good to read about life from the perspective of a man.
I was doing my Panera thing this morning. They had a copy of USA Today. Lo and behold, there you were!
Neat!
again- it was great- and I enjoyed meeting some of your other friends and contacts- TR too.
What an achievement. My sister is picking up on the news and I will send your book.
By the way it IS entertaining- and I think many will read it just for that aspect.